Annual Chapter Audit
FarmHouse Fraternity
Article XVII, Section 3 of the FarmHouse International bylaws requires that each chapter receive an
annual audit or review of the chapter's financial records. We would recommend that it take place during the
time the chapter changes officers (December-January). Both the incoming and outgoing treasurer should be
involved. The outgoing treasurer should plan to have the books up to date and in order. This will help the
incoming treasurer tremendously - and will enable the auditor or review committee to focus more on
providing an orientation into proper bookkeeping and accounting methods for the new treasurer.
The audit of a chapter or association's books is a part of good financial management and is
conducted for the same reasons a business receives an audit. It is a thorough check of your financial records
and a review of your bookkeeping and financial management procedures.
The following are some of the basic expectations of an audit or review:
1. Make sure the books are balanced and up to date. Are financial records detailed, current and
accurate?
2. Evaluate the bookkeeping methods. Are standard principles followed? Would there be proper records if
the chapter was audited by the IRS? Is there a better system -Quicken, Quickbooks, etc.?
3. Make sure state and federal requirements are met. Did the chapter file Form 990, pay employment
taxes, etc.
4. Review the procedures a chapter uses in handling funds and managing finances. Be prepared and
reception to suggestions for improvement. Areas of importance are delinquent accounts, two signatures on
checks, realistic budgets, financial statements, accounts payable, petty cash on hand and the overall financial
health of the chapter.
A chapter or association has several options for conducting the audit or review .The option a chapter
and association choose may depend on the size and complexity of the accounts being audited, and/or on the
financial resources available for the audit.
Ideally, our first choice and suggestion would be to have a Certified Public Accountant conduct the
audit. A very good second choice would be a professional bookkeeper or accountant. Also the accounting
department on your campus might have a graduate student who would be able to conduct an audit at a
reasonable price. A professional auditor has the expertise and professional experience to provide a
comprehensive audit and review. Also, if an accountant is used annually (or quarterly), you can establish a
working relationship, and a treasurer can obtain advice and counsel when needed. In some cases a chapter
alumnus who is an accountant can volunteer his time.
If an accountant is not affordable or if the size of the chapter does not justify the services of an
accountant, a chapter has the option of conducting a review as opposed to an audit. A review should be
conducted by a committee of alumni volunteers, an advisor and the officers who handle money .The alumni
volunteers would audit and review the books and make suggestions to improve the bookkeeping and
financial management. Along with conducting the review, it is also helpful to have the committee be able to
advise and check with the chapter treasurer at least once a semester (preferably quarterly).
If you have further questions about audits contact FarmHouse International at 1-800-722-1905.
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FARMHOUSE FRATERNITY
ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT GUIDE
Date _______________________
FarmHouse Chapter: __________________________________
Period covered by Report :
Month
Day
Year
From: _____________________
To:
_____________________
SECTION "A"
1.
ASSETS BEGINNING OF PERIOD
Enter all undeposited cash on hand at the beginning of the period.
2 . Enter the reconciled balance of the books and checking account
at the beginning of the period.
$ _______________
$ _______________
For items 3 through 9, enter and identity all other assets of the
local Chapter at the beginning of the period. This means ALL
funds of the local Chapter.
3.
Savings.
$ _______________
4.
Certificates of deposit.
$ _______________
5 . Investments
$ _______________
6.
Fixed assets.
$ _______________
7.
Dues and Initiation Fees receivable.
$ _______________
8.
Prepaid expenses.
$ _______________
9. Other assets (description):
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
$ _______________
10. Now add all of these lines (1-9) to determine your local Chapter's
Total Assets at beginning of the reporting period.
$ _______________
(cont.)
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SECTION "B"
LIABILITIES BEGINNING OF PERIOD
For items 11 through 14, show what the local Chapter owes. For example, it at the beginning of the
period the local Chapter owed the International Fraternity dues, say for the last semester of the
previous year, then put the amount owed on line 11, as this is a liability.
11. International - Dues
$ _______________
12. International - Initiation Fees
$ _______________
13. International - Other
$ _______________
14. Other accounts payable & liabilities (describe):
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
$ _______________
15. Now add lines (11-14) to determine your local Chapter's Total
Liabilities at the beginning of the reporting period.
$ _______________
SECTION "C"
RECEIPTS
20. Enter Total Dues collected during period.
$ _______________
21. Enter Total Initiation Fees collected.
$ _______________
22. Other Assessments collected.
$ _______________
23. Enter all interest earned on Checking, Savings, and Investments.
$ _______________
24. Other Receipts (description):
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
$ _______________
25. Now add all of these lines (20-24) to determine your local Chapter's
Total Receipts for this reporting period.
$ _______________
(cont.)
100
SECTION "D"
DISBURSEMENTS
26. Enter the actual dues paid to International Fraternity, not what is
owed, only what has been paid.
$ _______________
27. Enter the actual amount of Initiation Fees paid to International
FarmHouse Fraternity.
$ _______________
28. Enter all salaries or wages paid to anyone for services performed
for the local Chapter.
$ _______________
29. Enter all reimbursed expenses paid to anyone.
$ _______________
30. Jewelry and Plaquing costs - International
$ _______________
31. Loan payments - principal
$ _______________
32. Interest expense
$ _______________
33. Professional fees - accounting and legal
$ _______________
34. Other disbursements (description)
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
$ _______________
35. Now add all these lines (26-34) to determine your local Chapter's
Total Disbursements for this reporting period.
$ _______________
SECTION "E"
RECONCILEMENT OF CHECKING ACCOUNT
36. Balance according to bank statement for last month of this
reporting period.
$ _______________
37. Plus deposits not credited on bank statement.
$ _______________
38. Total. Add lines 36 and 37.
$ _______________
39. Less total of checks outstanding.
$ _______________
40. Balance in checking account at end of period.
Line 38 minus Line 39. This balance should agree with the
balance in the checkbook.
$ _______________
(cont.)
101
SECTION "F"
ASSETS AT END OF PERIOD
As in Section "A", show the total assets the local Chapter may own on the last day of the reporting
period.
41. Total undeposited cash on hand at end of period
$ _______________
42. Checking Account: Enter here the figure from Line No. 40.
$ _______________
43. Savings Account: Enter amount in savings account on last day
of reporting period.
$ _______________
44. Certificates of deposit and other investments
$ _______________
45. Dues and Initiation Fees receivable (owed by members to chapter)
$ _______________
46. Other assets (description):
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
$ _______________
47. Now add all of these lines (41-47) to determine your local Chapter's
Total Assets at end of the reporting period.
$ _______________
SECTION "G"
LIABILITIES AT END OF PERIOD
As in Section "B", you must show what the local Chapter owes at the end of the reporting period.
48. International - Dues
$ _______________
49. International - Initiation Fees & plaquing
$ _______________
50. International - Jewelry costs
$ _______________
51. Other Accounts payable and liabilities (describe)
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
$ _______________
52. Add lines 48-51 and enter here and on Line 63
$ _______________
(cont.)
102
When the audit has been comp1.eted, it must be determined that the amounts on the report check.
Line 10, "Total Assets at start of period", plus Line 25, "Total Receipts", give you your
accountability for the period, and this amount minus Line 35, "Tota1 Disbursements: must equa1
Line 47, "Total Assets", at the end of the period.
RECONCILATION
53. Enter amount from Line 10.
$ _______________
54. Enter the amount from Line 25, minus Line 35.
Enter negative number in brackets.
$ _______________
55. Add lines 53 and 54. This must equal Line 47, "Total Assets"
$ _______________
THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS SHOULD ALSO BE ANSWERED BY THE PERSON(S)
CONDUCTING AUDIT.
Yes No
56. Are all receipts to local Chapter, recorded and promptly deposited?
____ ____
57. Are all disbursements made by check?
____ ____
58. Were any checks made payable to cash?
____ ____
59. Was there any evidence of any checks being signed before they were
completely filled out?
____ ____
60. Were all expenditures properly approved and supported by invoices or
vouchers?
____ ____
61. Are required Federal & State Payroll Taxes being withheld and reported?
____ ____
62. Does the local Chapter file annually the IRS Form 990?
____ ____
63. During the course of this audit was it determined that payment was made
to the International Office on all dues and initiation fees collected as
required by the International FarmHouse Fraternity By-laws?
____ ____
64. Have all assets of the local Chapter been verified or confirmed?
____ ____
65. Does this audit report include all funds of the local Chapter?
____ ____
If the answer to questions #58 and #59 is YES and the answer to any of the remaining questions is
NO then you must provide a detailed explanation which includes the action taken to correct the
situation.
66. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
I hereby certify that I have audited the books and records of the ___________________________
FarmHouse Chapter and except as noted herein, have found them to be in order as reflected by the
report.
__________________________ __________________________ __________________________
NAME
TITLE
NAME
TITLE
NAME
TITLE
DATE: ______________________
103